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Physical Activity as Treatment for Obesity

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Physical Activity Across the Lifespan

Part of the book series: Issues in Children's and Families' Lives ((IICL,volume 12))

Abstract

The last two decades has seen a dramatic increase in the prevalence of overweight and obesity among all segments of the US population, including children, adolescents, and adults (Ogden, Carroll, & Flegal, 2008). While these increases have been observed across the population, ethnic minority groups have been impacted differentially (Ogden et al., 2008). Given the increased prevalence of obesity, considerable attention has been focused on models of intervention for this challenging concern. This chapter focuses on the role of physical activity in the treatment of obesity, with an emphasis on interventions with pediatric samples. In particular, we provide an overview of pediatric obesity treatment approaches, discuss the potential mechanisms through which physical activity impacts outcome, present a review of interventions that include manipulation of physical activity, and conclude with recommendations for best practices and future research directions. While our focus is on the importance of physical activity for pediatric weight control, a number of concepts are illustrated through research conducted with adults. The reader is referred to several excellent reviews for consideration of physical activity as a component of weight control interventions for adults (Donnelly et al., 2009; Jakicic, 2006).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Brown Medical School, Coro West, One Hoppin Street, Providence, RI, 02903, USA

    Elissa Jelalian

  2. Department of Psychology, Kent State University, 144 Kent Hall, Kent, OH, 44242, USA

    Amy Sato

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  1. Elissa Jelalian
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  2. Amy Sato
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Correspondence to Elissa Jelalian .

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  1. , Division of Child and Family Development, Administration for Children and Families, L'Enfant Plaza Promenade, SW 370, Washington, 20447, District of Columbia, USA

    Aleta L. Meyer

  2. Child and Family Agency of Southeastern, Hempstead Street 255, New London, 06320, Connecticut, USA

    Thomas P. Gullotta

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Jelalian, E., Sato, A. (2012). Physical Activity as Treatment for Obesity. In: Meyer, A., Gullotta, T. (eds) Physical Activity Across the Lifespan. Issues in Children's and Families' Lives, vol 12. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-3606-5_7

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